Need Help With My Italian Greyhound

[Jules80]

I have a beautiful little Iggy, 'figsy' she is a total sweetheart but I have a few problems that I'm hoping will go away. My partner and I have had her for the past 7 months, she is an ex-brood bitch, nearly 5 years old and this is the first time in her life that she has been away from the breeder. It took a full month for me to even be able to touch her at all. She is now fantastic with me, no problems at all but with my partner (who is very gentle by the way) she is always snorting, barking and growling somewhat at him, sometimes are worse than others. There is very small progress. I just can't stand to see her stressed all the time at him, i would love her to sleep in our bed with us but she is just too freaked out to do that. He feeds her, takes the lead while we are walking etc does a lot to socialise with her. Do you think he should start totally ignoring her? Maybe that will help?

I tried to upload a picture and I'm not sure what happened

[RuralPug]

Sadly, it does sound if she has never been socialised properly.

The anxiety and fear aggression that you are describing sounds a lot like that found in ex-puppy farm breeding bitches who have been confined to a single property their whole lives. Their rehabilitation needs time, time and more time. It can go faster if you have behaviourist advice.

Let us know whereabouts in Victoria you are and you should be able to get some recommendations for behaviourists in your vicinity.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I've replied to your pm. Italians are a breed apart, they are not like other dogs at all. I don't recommend them to most people because they have a lot of idiosyncracies - I love them but they aren't all that easy sometimes and most people want easy in a dog.

I've got a dog that was a breeder's dog for 11 years, she came and settled here although the toilet training was hard and she has some bad habits, she is a most delightful and friendly dog.

I'd recommend a behaviouralist but it needs to be someone experienced with the breed. The worst thing you can do is get Bark Busters in ...

[iggy mum]

I was thinking the same thing RuralPug, time, patience, consistency and persistence will more than likely be the key. Unfortunately it can sometimes take months/years for a dog to "come round" as they say. And, sometimes sitting back and waiting for the dog to decide to make the first move can work. Perhaps you could get your partner to spend a certain amount of time each day/evening sitting on a cushion on the floor, at the dogs level, having some treats in his pocket and playing the waiting game. If she comes up to him, quietly praise her and give her a treat, but also try to avoid a lot of eye contact until she feels more comfortable. This has worked for me in the past but may not work for your girl as each dog/situation is different. I'll happily stand corrected if someone more knowledgeable/experienced has other ideas. Good luck with your girl. We'd love to see a photo if you can upload one.

[indigirl]

I would guess she isn't coping being an only dog. She's probably never lived with a doggie pack. I would be trying to let her socialist with other small dogs - particularly other IGs. Did she live In kennels at the breeders? She may not be used to the sights and sounds of a busy hone - tv, vacuum dishwasher etc. it may all very very foreign and scary to her.

I have 6 iggies here, 3 of which were raised in kennels and came here as adults. It took them all some time to adjust. Luckily I have other IGs so the transition was easier for them. However one of them, after more than 2 yrs still rarely cones to me and doesn't like being picked up. I don't know that he will ever change. He broke his leg at 12 weeks of age and had to be crated for 6 weeks. Unfortunately this meant he missed out on critical socialization. He is now 4 yrs old and I don't think he will change.

Your girl may never improve much from where she is now. Speak to the breeder and get an idea of how she lived before she came to live with you.

[Brandiandwe]

I don't have any IGs - my greys are more the 'economy sized' larger ones, and I think definitely listen to the others but I wanted to tell you that my little black girl took a very long time to warm up to DH. About four months till she'd acknowledge him on the couch, then another 12 months or more (so 18 months from the time we got her) until she'd willingly approach him for affection, pats, be happy to see him and so on. She was never abused, was fairly well socialised, her trainer adored her and stays in touch with us. And it still took a very long time. Our others sleep with us as often as possible. Paige prefers her own space beside me on the floor.

I guess I'm saying that time and patience are needed even with dogs who come from solid backgrounds. My DH really was just patient, acknowledged Paige at times but mainly ignored her and he's now reaping the rewards (or is sharing to annoyance of a cold squeaking nose in his ear while trying to have a sleep in). At 7 months, he really wasn't on Paige's radar.

Good luck!

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Jules80 - I have sent you another PM - can you please contact me asap? :)

[Kirislin]

Is this the IG that is advertised on gumtree?

[Jules80]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate you all taking the time.

I think she is actually very happy living here for the most part and enjoys being the only dog because I can give her lots of affection without any competition from other dogs (I think that stresses her more). I just don't like seeing her stressing about my partner. I've been suggested some form of natural tranquilliser to calm her and may look into that or a pheromone spray? Has anyone had experience? The fact is she wouldn't be suitable for most homes trust me (even breeder confirmed this), she is a very special case. She is bonded very strongly to me and does not do well with other dogs (due to the attention factor). She cannot be with males either (i've seen her with a variety of males and still the same). After speaking to the breeder over the past 7 months I'm thinking more and more it has to do with her experience with a Vet, she has been debarked and apparently scared of Vets ever since. I guess time will only tell and hopefully heal. We take her to the small dog park several times a week and she LOVES it, I think a big part of her problem is she wasn't socialised much but now she is and its definitely helping her confidence around other small breeds. The dog park has proven to be important therapy for her, at first on arrival she was timid as they get but now she is running around freely with other dogs enjoying herself. She is quite barky and I'm still trying to identify what bark means what but it's hard when she has been debarked :-( What a cruel ugly procedure.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Jules80

[Loving my Oldies]

I don't have any advice except to prepare yourself that she may never change. I rescued and then adopted a dog from a pound when she was six months old. She was a quivering, peeing and pooing wreck and even today, more than nine years later, she still reacts to me sometimes as though she is going to be beaten. She leaps at the sound of twig being broken on our walks, she drops to the ground when I walk towards her (not always) and I don't believe she was ever badly treated. She was in really good condition when I rescued her, but I think she is naturally very timid and easily scared and the trauma of being lost was just all too much.

She has no fear when I'm lying down: walks all over me, shoves her head into my hands to be patted, sleeps along my pillows behind my head, or down by my side pushing at me to lift up the bedding so she can snuggle underneath. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I really hope your little girl does come good and lives a long and happy life with you.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Danny's Darling